Fracture Propagation in Heterogeneous Porous Media: Pore-Scale Implications of Mineral Dissolution

Shovkun, Igor; Espinoza, D. Nicolas

doi:10.1007/s00603-019-01766-z

Cited by 16 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…In addition to geostructural features, geochemical reactions, that is, both dissolution and precipitation, can also impact flow channelization. Fluids passing through the fracture network that are out of chemical equilibrium with respect to the resident minerals can lead to reactions that dynamically alter the spatially variable resistance offered to the flow via geochemical reactions (Deng & Spycher, 2019; Ellis et al., 2013; Shovkun & Espinoza, 2019). The coupling between geochemical reactions and fluid transport is primarily driven by the relative rates of chemical reactions that either produce or consume solutes compared to the solute transport to and from the reacting surface (Andrews & Navarre‐Sitchler, 2021; Pandey & Rajaram, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quartz Dissolution Effects on Flow Channelization and Transport Behavior in Three‐Dimensional Fracture Networks

Hyman,

Navarre‐Sitchler,

Sweeney

et al. 2024

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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We perform a set of reactive transport simulations in three‐dimensional fracture networks to characterize the impact of geochemical reactions on flow channelization. Flow channelization, a frequently observed phenomenon in porous and fractured subsurface rock formations, results from the spatially variable hydraulic resistance offered by a geological structure. In addition to geo‐structural features such as network connectivity, geometry, and hydraulic resistance, geochemical reactions, for example, dissolution and precipitation, can dynamically inhibit or enhance flow channelization. These geochemical processes can change the fracture permeability leading to increased flow channelization, which are localized connected regions of high volumetric flow rates that are seemingly ubiquitous in the subsurface. In our simulations, fractures partially filled with quartz are gradually dissolved until quasi‐steady state conditions are obtained. We compare the flow field's initial unreacted and final dissolved states in terms of flow and transport observations. We observe that the dissolved fracture networks provide less resistance to flow and exhibit increased flow channelization when compared to their unreacted counterparts. However, there is substantial variability in the magnitude of these changes which implies that the channelization strongly depends on the network structure. In turn, we identify the interplay between the particular network structure and the impact of geochemical dissolution on flow channelization. The presented results indicate that geological systems that have been weathering or reactive for longer times in older landscapes are likely to have increased flow channelization compared to their equivalent but younger counterparts, which implies a time dependence on flow channelization in fractured media.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quartz Dissolution Effects on Flow Channelization and Transport Behavior in Three‐Dimensional Fracture Networks

Hyman,

Navarre‐Sitchler,

Sweeney

et al. 2024

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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“…Chen et al [14] built up a three-dimensional unified pipe network model for matrix acidizing process of naturally fractured carbonate formations, where the fractures and porous media are equivalently characterized by interconnected matrix pipes and fracture pipes, and they simulated the process of wormhole propagation during the acidizing process by integrating a dual-scale continuum model. Shovkun and Espinoza [15] studied the effect of mineral dissolution on 3D pore structure and HF propagation in the semicircular bending experiment on limestone in the acidizing process and performed simulation on tensile HF propagation with the FEM based on the phase field model. Nonplanar fractures are formed in the high-porosity and large-channel regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation on Hydrofracture Propagation in Fractured-Vuggy Unconventional Reservoirs

et al. 2022

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The unconventional reservoirs such as carbonate formation develops complex and diverse storage space structures, and it is composed of large-scale cavity, dissolved vug, and fractures. The carbonate reservoir is highly heterogeneous. Acid fracturing of carbonate reservoir is completed through the complex mechanical mechanism of interaction between vug and hydraulic fracture (HF). We use the equivalent method of reducing the rock strength by acid etching and serious fluid leakoff during interaction of HF and vug to establish a finite element (FE) model of HF propagation during acid fracturing in the fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoir. The model considers the effect of serious fluid leakoff during interaction between HF and vug, mechanism of interaction between HFs and the fracture-vug system, and change in acid etching intensity. Then, we carry out numerical simulation on impacts of injection rate, fluid viscosity, leakoff behavior in fractures and vugs, and natural fracture (NF) approaching angle on HF propagation in acid fracturing and compare the characteristics of injection pressure, fracture pressure, and HF size. It is suggested that the acid fracturing treatment should be operated by increasing the acid solution viscosity to reduce fluid leakoff, injecting fracturing fluid and acid fluid alternatively, increasing injection rate, and injecting fibers and ceramics when small pressure drop occurs during the HF interacts with the fracture-vug. When a large pressure drop occurs, it is suggested that the middle-low viscosity acid be injected at a low rate to etch the carbonate rock and enhance the fracture conductivity. HF propagates under higher pressure when the NF approaching angle is smaller.

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“…In many of these systems, the fluids passing through the fractures will be out of equilibrium with the resident minerals, and, in turn, a variety of reactions, for example, dissolution and precipitation, take place (Deng & Spycher, 2019). These geochemical processes can lead to the evolution of the fracture network by changing fracture permeability (Ellis et al., 2013) and potentially driving or inhibiting fracture propagation (Shovkun & Espinoza, 2019). Because the majority of flow in fractured media passes through a small volume relative to the domain size and the reactions are therein localized, these changes can produce a disproportionately large alteration of the flow field.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Geo‐Structurally Based Correction Factor for Apparent Dissolution Rates in Fractured Media

Hyman

Navarre‐Sitchler

Andrews

et al. 2022

Geophysical Research Letters

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Hydrology within fractured rocks is complex, with variable Péclet conditions reflecting the relative importance of fluid advection and diffusion on the movement of solutes. In many of these systems, the fluids passing through the fractures will be out of equilibrium with the resident minerals, and, in turn, a variety of reactions, for example, dissolution and precipitation, take place (Deng & Spycher, 2019). These geochemical processes can lead to the evolution of the fracture network by changing fracture permeability (Ellis et al., 2013) and potentially driving or inhibiting fracture propagation (Shovkun & Espinoza, 2019). Because the majority of flow in fractured media passes through a small volume relative to the domain size and the reactions are therein localized, these changes can produce a

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Fracture Propagation in Heterogeneous Porous Media: Pore-Scale Implications of Mineral Dissolution

Cited by 16 publications

References 50 publications

Quartz Dissolution Effects on Flow Channelization and Transport Behavior in Three‐Dimensional Fracture Networks

Quartz Dissolution Effects on Flow Channelization and Transport Behavior in Three‐Dimensional Fracture Networks

Numerical Simulation on Hydrofracture Propagation in Fractured-Vuggy Unconventional Reservoirs

A Geo‐Structurally Based Correction Factor for Apparent Dissolution Rates in Fractured Media

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